He stressed the needfor the department to devote greater attention to supervising mineralreserves exploited by businesses in order to prevent the depletion ofthe country’s natural resources.
He proposed following the Mineral Law and its guiding documents to intensify mining management.
Deputy Head of the General Department Bui Vinh Kien said the officeimposed financial fines on 67 organisations and individuals in 2014,totalling nearly 5 billion VND (235,000 USD). It also conductedunscheduled inspections at relevant offices across Thai Nguyen, LamDong, Thua Thien-Hue, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen provinces.
Last year, geological mineral surveys produced positive results. TheGeneral Department, in collaboration with the Japan Caving Association,announced the discovery of a volcanic cavern system in Krong No districtin the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong, said to be the longestvolcanic grotto in Southeast Asia.
Surveyorsalso unearthed a coal mine along the coast of Tien Hai district innorthern Thai Binh province with nearly 1,460 million tonnes ofreserves, according to Kien.-VNA